Fun facts about Auburn's second 6 opponents

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Following the first six games of the 2014 Auburn football schedule (against Arkansas, San Jose State, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, LSU and Mississippi State), the Tigers meet South Carolina on Oct. 25 at home.

As the season draws ever nearer, what do you need to know about these final six games of the season?

Consider the following fun facts about South Carolina and the rest of these opponents.

Part of the reason why South Carolina was picked to win the SEC Eastern division this season has to be head coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy for Florida, and later brought Florida back to prominence as the school's head coach (guiding it to its first ever national championship in 1997). After an unsuccessful stint in the NFL, he came back to college football at South Carolina. He is widely called the 'Ol Ball Coach.

The team's nickname and mascot come from a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics. A British General commented that Thomas Sumter "fought like a gamecock."

Ole Miss is also known for its legendary tailgating area known as The Grove. It's often labeled as one of the most beautiful and festive fan areas in all of college football.

Opponent:

Texas A&M, on Nov. 8

Fun facts you might need to know:

The Aggies have surprised SEC fans since the school joined the conference with the fervor of the fan base and the originality of the A&M traditions.

The school celebrates with a variety of unique fan traditions--and it all starts with The 12th Man. The name given to all of the fans in the crowd, The 12th Man represents the fact that the crowd is a loud extension of the team. The fans are led by Yell Leaders instead of cheerleaders; yell leaders are a team of upperclassmen elected each year by the student body, which began in 1907 when A&M was still an all-male school.

Another favorite gameday tradition includes boyfriends kissing their girlfriends after each Aggie score.

One of the best known mascots in the country, the current line of Uga the bulldog has walked the sidelines of Georgia games since the 1943 Rose Bowl (an early white bull terrier named Trilby served in 1894. Probably the most famous Uga was Uga V, who appeared in the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Also iconic is Georgia's calling of the Dawgs during every kickoff. As the kicker lines up, the crowd begins the long chant of "Goooooooooo," and when the ball is kicked the cheer completes, "...Dawgs! Sic Em! Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Opponent:

Samford, on Nov. 22

Fun facts you might need to know:

Samford's current head coach is Pat Sullivan, the first of Auburn's Heisman Trophy winners (the later ones being Bo Jackson and Cam Newton). Sullivan won the Heisman in 1971, was the head coach at TCU, served as the offensive coordinator at UAB and became Samford's head coach in 2007. He will likely become Samford's most winningest coach this season.

The current winningest coach at Samford is another former Auburn coach--Terry Bowden.